Apparatus for use in mounting an object from a suspended ceiling



1970 Y. J. YOUSEFPOR 3,545,145

APPARATUS FOR USE IN MOUNTING AN OBJECT FROM A. SUSPENDED CEILING Filed April 10, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Yul J. Yousefpor INVEN TOR ATTORNEYS Dec. 8, 1970 Y. J. YOUSEFPOR APPARATUS FOR USE IN MOUNTING AN OBJ ECT FROM A SUSPENDED CEILING I v v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 10, 1969 Yul J. Yousefpor INVENTOR A TTORNEYS United States Patent 3,545,145 APPARATUS FOR USE IN MOUNTING AN OBJECT FROM A SUSPENDED CEILING Yul J. Yousefpor, Houston, Tex., assignor to Esquire, Inc., New York, N.Y. Filed Apr. 10, 1969, Ser. No. 814,958 Int. Cl. E04b 5/52; F21s 1/02 US. Cl. S228 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus is provided for mounting an object from a suspended ceiling having an opening therethrough and a supporting surface on the periphery of at least two opposite sides of the opening. The apparatus comprises a frame on which the object may be mounted and having an outer periphery which is substantially symmetrical with but somewhat smaller than the inner periphery of the ceiling to permit the frame to be moved through the ceiling opening with relatively small tolerances between their peripheries. The apparatus also includes a pair of supporting clips mounted on the lower face of the frame for swinging between the gravity assumed positions in which their outer ends are substantially aligned with the frame periphery and other positions in which their outer ends are extended beyond said periphery a distance greater than the tolerances between the sides of the frame and the corresponding sides of the ceiling opening.

This invention relates to improved apparatus for use in mounting an object from a suspended ceiling; and, more particularly, to improved apparatus for mounting such an object from a suspended ceiling having an opening through which the object may be passed.

Ceilings of this type frequently comprise a grid of laterally and longitudinally extending, inverted T bars which form individual openings. Most of these openings are closed by acoustical panels supported on the flanges of the T bars surrounding such openings. However, light fixtures may be supported from the flanges of the T bars surrounding other openings.

Usually, these fixtures must be installed from beneath the ceiling. Also, they frequently have a frame which is adapted to be passed through the ceiling opening and then lowered onto supported position on the flanges. This requires that the elfective outer periphery of the frame be adjustable between dimensions smaller and larger than such opening. Also, the adjustment must be made as the fixture, which may be rather large and heavy, is held at an elevation above the normal persons reach.

An object of this invention is to provide such apparatus in which this adjustment can be made with relative ease so as to permit one person to mount the fixture or other object with a minimum of time and effort.

Another object is to provide such apparatus which is of simple and inexpensive construction.

A further object is to provide such apparatus which is also useable in hingedly mounting a lens or other part to the main body of the fixture or other object.

These and other objects are accomplished, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the invention, by a frame on which the object may be mounted and having an outer periphery which is substantially symmetrical with but somewhat smaller than the inner periphery of the ceiling opening so as to permit the frame to be moved through the opening with relatively close tolerances. A pair of supporting clips are mounted on the lower face of the frame for swinging between gravity assumed positions in which their outer ends are substantially aligned with the frame periphery and other positions in ICC which their outer ends are extended beyond opposite sides of the frame a distance greater than the tolerance between such sides and corresponding sides of the ceiling opening. Thus, with the clips in their gravity assumed positions, the object may be lifted with the frame through the opening and above the supporting surfaces about such opening. Then it is merely necessary to swing the clips to the extended positions so that upon lowering of the frame, they will engage and be supported upon the supporting surfaces on the corresponding sides of the opening.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower face of the frame is substantially perpendicular to each side of the outer periphery thereof. More particularly, each clip is bent intermediate its ends and a portion there of intermediate its free end and the bend engages theface of the frame side to which it is connected, so as to locate the clip with such portion extending perpendicularly to the frame periphery when swung outwardly to engage the supporting surface about the opening.

More particularly, each side of the frame to which a clip is hingedly connected comprises an elongate frame member having parallel sides and a flat face perpendicular to the sides. A groove extending from one end to the other of the flat face includes an inner portion which is circular in cross section and circumscribes greater than The clip has an enlargement on one end which is also circular in cross section to fit closely within the groove so that the clip may be moved through an open end of the groove into position for hinging between its alternate positions.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters are designated by like parts:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ceiling having a grid made up of laterally and longitudinally extending, inverted T bars, and showing a light fixture frame mounted from one of the openings defined by the grid by means of clips constructed and arranged with respect to the frame in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the ceiling and frame, as seen along broken lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are further enlarged vertical crosssectional views of a part of the frame and ceiling, as seen along broken lines 33 of FIG. 2, and during progressive steps in the mounting of the frame;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing a trim plate disposed over the gap between the frame and ceiling opening; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged detail views illustrating the alternate positions of a clip within the groove in the frame member.

With reference now to the details of the above-described drawings, the ceiling shown in FIG. 1 includes a grid system made up of longitudinally and laterally extending bars 21 and 22, respectively, to form individual openings therebetween. More particularly, each of these bars comprises an inverted T which is suspended at various points along its length by wires 23 connected at their upper ends to a top wall (not shown) above the suspended ceiling. The bars are usually connected to one another at their intersections so as to provide the grid with some rigidity and predetermine the size of the ceiling openings.

Although these details of the ceiling are unimportant to the present invention, it is important that the T bars or other parts of the ceiling defining the periphery of the opening therein from which the light fixture is to be mounted have a supporting surface on at least two opposite sides. In this case, as best shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the supporting surfaces are provided by the inner horizontal flanges on the T bars.

The object to be mounted from such opening comprises a light fixture 24 mounted on a frame 28 having an outer periphery symmetrical with and somewhat smaller than the inner periphery than the ceiling opening. Thus, as previously noted, the frame may be moved through the ceiling opening with relatively small tolerances between their peripheries.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fixture 24 has two pairs of vertical side walls 25 and 26, respectively, connected by a top wall 27 at their upper ends and to the frame 28 at their lower ends. The longer side walls 25 are somewhat shorter in length than the spacing between T bars 22 and the shorter side walls 26 are somewhat shorter in length than the spacing between the T bars 21. Thus, as above mentioned, the outer periphery of the frame may be moved with fixture 24 through the Opening defined by the inner flanges on the T bars into and out of the position above the ceiling shown in FIG. 1.

The frame 28 is made up of a plurality of longitudinally and laterally extending, elongate frame members 29 which are connected to the lower end of fixture side walls 25 and 26, respectively, and to one another at the corners of the frame, and an intermediate frame member 30 extending between the longitudinally extending frame members to define a relatively large and a relatively small opening into the bottom of the fixture 24. As will be described more detailed to follow, each of the corner and intermediate frame members 29 and 30 is made from identical extrusions.

Uprights 31 and 32 are mounted on the intermediate frame member 30 and the right lateral frame member 29 for extension to the top 27 of the housing 24. A ballast 33 is mounted in the portion of the housing between the left side wall 26 and the brace 31 on an inverted channel 34, which is in turn supported by and spans the left lateral frame member 29 and the intermediate frame member 30. An electrical socket 35 is mounted from the opposite side of the brace 31 and intermediate the upper and lower end of the housing 24 to receive a lamp 36 centrally of a reflector 37 in the portion of the housing between frame member 30 and right lateral frame member 29. More particularly, the socket 35 is received through a hole in one side of the reflector 37 and secured thereto by a fitting 38.

The four sides of the lower rectangular end of the reflector are mounted on the intermediate frame member 30 and the frame member 29 at the lower ends of the side walls 25 and right side wall 26. As will be described more fully hereinafter, a window 39 is hingedly connected to the intermediate frame member 30 for swinging between the illustrated closed position across the larger opening between frame member 30 and the right hand lateral frame member 29, and an open position (not shown) in which it is lowered to enable the lamp 36 to be moved into and out of the socket 35.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, each of the frame member extrusions is substantially L shaped with the shorter leg 40 of the L extending downwardly and the longer leg 41 thereof extending horizontally at right angles to the leg 40. A pair of flanges 42 and 43 extend vertically upwardly from the left side of the top of the leg 41 adjacent the leg 40 so as to receive the lower end of either side wall 25 or 26 therebetween. A threaded bolt 44 extends through aligned holes in the flange 42 and the lower end of the side wall to secure it to the frame.

Another flange 45 extends upwardly from the opposite side of the top of the extrusion leg 41, and as best shown in FIG. 6, the inverted channel 34 for supporting ballast 33 is fitted over the outer sides of the flange 45 on the left lateral frame member 29 and the flange 43 on the intermediate frame member 30. A further flange 46 extends horizontally from the end of the leg 41 to provide a shelf on each of the intermediate frame member 30 and the longitudinal frame members and right lateral frame member 29 for supporting the lower end edges of the 4 reflector 37. When so supported, the outer sides of the lower end of the reflector adjacent the flanges 45 are secured to such flanges by bolts 47.

The short leg 40 of each frame member extrusion has opposite sides 50 and 51 which are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the opposite sides of the leg 41. More particularly, the side 51 and the adjacent end of the long leg 41 are coplanar to define the rectangular outer periphery of the frame, and thus of the overall fixture 24. The face on the lower end of the leg which connects the lower ends of the sides 50 and 51 is perpendicular to such sides, and thus parallel to the lower face of the suspended ceiling when mounted therefrom. More particularly, the lower faces 52 of all the frame members lie in the same horizontal plane.

A clip 55 is hingedly connected to the face 52 of each side frame member 29 for swinging between the previously described positions which permit the frame and light fixture mounted thereon to be moved through and then supported from the ceiling opening. Thus, each clip is swingable between the gravity assumed position shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, wherein its free end is substantially aligned with the side wall 51 of the frame member 29, and another position shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 wherein its free end extends a maximum distance outwardly from the side 51 of the frame member for engaging the flange on the T bar. Also, of course, the clip may be swung to an intermediate position, such as the one shown in FIG. 4, wherein it extends outwardly from the periphery of the frame less than the maximum distance, but at least farther than the tolerance between the frame and ceiling opening peripheries.

Thus, when all such clips are disposed in their gravity assumed positions, the light fixture including the frame 28 is free to be moved vertically through the opening in the ceiling. Then, when such clips are swung to outwardly positions, as in 'FIG. 4, they will, upon lowering of the frame, engage the inner flanges on the T bars and swing to fully extended position to support the frame and thus the light fixture from the opening.

More particularly, each clip 55 comprises a relatively thin strip of metal which is bent at 56 intermediate its free end and an enlarged portion 57 on its other end pivotally mounted within a groove 58 in the face 52 of the frame member for swinging about an axis parallel to the opposite sides 50 and 51 of the leg 40 of the frame member. As shown in the drawings, the enlarged portion 57 is circular in cross section and fits closely within an inner portion 59 of the groove '58 which is also circular in cross section and circumscribes greater than so as to hold the enlarged portion 57 captive. Also, each groove extends from one end to the other of the frame member so as to permit the clip portion 57 to be inserted from either end.

The outer portions 60 of each groove 58 flare outwardly from the side edges of inner portions of the groove for intersection with the face 52 of the frame member. As best shown in FIG. 7, when the clip is in its gravity assumed position, the intersection of its enlarged portion 57 with inner side .of the clip engages the intersection of the adjacent flared portion 60 of the groove with groove portion 59 to limit further swinging of the clip in a direction away from the fully extended position of FIGS. 5, 6 and 8.

The outer side of the clip between the enlarged portion 57 and the bend 56 is of the same length as the other flared portion 60 of the groove. Also, the portion of the outer side of the clip intermediate the bend and its free end extends at the same angle with respect to the inner portion thereof as does the face 52 of the frame member with the flaring portion 60 of the groove. Thus, the clip is located in its fully extended position by engagement of the inner and outer portions of its outer side with the flared outer portion of the groove and the portion of the face 52 intermediate the groove and the side 51 of the frame member.

As the upper end of the fixture moves into the ceiling opening, it is in a generally horizontal position so that the clips along each of the four side frame members 29 will normally assume the position shown in FIG. 3. If they are not in such position, as for example due to friction between the clip and the groove in which it pivots, they may be moved to such position and will remain there to permit the frame to be moved upwardly through the ceiling opening to raise the free ends of the clips above the flanges about the inner sides of the T bars 21 and 22.

At this time, the clips are swung upwardly and outwardly to an outwardly extending position, such as that shown in FIG. 4, in which their free ends are disposed outwardly of the inner periphery of the ceiling opening. This may be done with ease by the person installing the fixture, especially if there is only one clip on each of one pair of opposite sides of the frame, which arrangement is contemplated by the present invention.

Alternatively, the person installing the fixture may first swing the clip on one side to extended position, and then lower and shift such one side to one side for support on the corresponding side of the ceiling opening. The clip on the opposite side may then be swung to extended position and the fixture lifted slightly and shifted back to a more centered position and lowered to support such second clip on its corresponding side of the openingv This latter procedure is also useful, of course, in supporting the fixture with a frame having a clip on each side, either by manipulating the clips individually or as opposite pairs.

Also, it may be found that there is sufficient friction between the clips and the grooves in which they pivot that once the clips are moved upwardly above the supporting flanges of the T bar-s. all may be swung to the position of FIG. 4 and remain there until lowered to the position of FIGS. 5, 6 and 8. At any rate, when all clips have been swung outwardly to extended positions, and the frame then lowered, such clios will assume the fully extended positions shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, thereby providing a firm support for the fixture.

The window 39 comprises a glass pane 66 surrounded by a frame 65 which, in the closed position of the window, fits rather closely within the sides 50 of the frame members defining the larger opening into the housing beneath the lamp. As best shown in FIG. 6, the width of this window frame 65 is substantially the same as the overhang of leg 41 of each frame member so that light is reflected through a large area of the window. Also, the depth of the window frame is substantially equal to the overhang of leg 40 so as to lie substantially flush with the faces 52.

As shown in FIG. -6, a clip 55 is pivotally connected to the face 52 of the leg 40 of the intermediate frame member 30 for hingedly connecting one side edge of the window frame to such intermediate frame member for swinging between positions opening and closing the larger opening in the frame member. Thus, as also shown in FIG. 6, the clip 55 is reversed side-for-side with respect to the extrusion forming the frame member 30 so that, in its extended position, the free end of the clip 55 extends beyond the side 50 of the leg 40 of the frame member 30 and is secured to the window frame 65 by means of one or more bolts 72. The opposite side of the window frame 65 may be removably secured to the legs 41 of the right hand frame member 29 by any suitable fastener (not shown). When so secured, a gasket on the inner side of the frame forms a weatherproof seal with the frame member.

When the fixture has been mounted from the opening into the ceiling, and the window 39 is in closed position, a trim plate 70 may be releasably connected to the frame to cover the gap between the inner periphery of the ceiling opening and the outer periphery of the frame. The

6 details of this trim plate are, of course, unimportant to the present invention.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the apparatus.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed with reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

The invention having been described, what is claimed '1. For use in mounting an object from a suspended ceiling having an opening therethrough and a supporting surface on the periphery of at least two opposite sides of the opening, apparatus comprising a frame on which the object may be mounted, the outer periphery of the frame being substantially symmetrical with but somewhat smaller than the inner periphery of the ceiling opening to permit the frame to be moved through the ceiling opening with relatively smaller tolerances between their peripheries, a pair of supporting clips, and means mounting the clips on the lower face of the frame for swinging between gravity assumed positions in which their outer ends are substantially aligned with the frame periphery and other positions in which their outer ends are extended beyond said periphery a distance greater than the tolerance be tween said sides of the frame and corresponding sides of the ceiling opening, so that, in said gravity assumed positions, each of said clips may be moved with the frame through said ceiling opening and above the supporting surfaces on the sides thereof, and then, when swung to said other positions, lowered onto the said supporting surfaces.

2. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 1, including means preventing each clip from swinging from said gravity assumed position in a direction away from said other position.

3. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 1, including means preventing each clip from swinging from said other position in a direction away from said gravity assumed position.

4. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 3, including means preventing each clip from swinging from said gravity assumed position in a direction away from said other position.

5. For use in mounting an object from a suspended ceiling having an opening through which the object may be passed and a supporting surface on the periphery of at least two opposite sides of the opening, apparatus com prising a frame on which the object may be mounted, said frame having a lower face adjacent and substantially perpendicular to, its outer periphery, a pair of supporting clips each being bent intermediate its ends, and means hingedly connecting one end of each clip to the lower face of the frame and adjacent one of a pair of opposite sides of the frame periphery for swinging about a horizontal axis generally parallel to said side between a gravity assumed position in which its free end is substantially aligned with the frame periphery and another position in which its free end extends outwardly from said periphery.

6. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 5, wherein the portion of each clip intermediate its free end and the bend therein engages the lower face on the frame so as to extend substantially perpendicularly to the frame periphery when said clip is in said second position.

7. Apparatus for use in a frame, comprising an elongate frame member having first and second parallel sides and a flat face perpendicular to the sides and having a groove extending from one end to the other thereof, said groove having an inner portion which is circular and circumscribes greater than 180, and an outer portion which flares outwardly from each side edge of the inner portion to intersect with said fiat face, and a clip which is bent intermediate its ends, one end of the clip having an enlarged portion which is circular in cross section for fitting closely within the inner portion of said groove to permit the clip to swing about the axis of said inner portion, the intersection of one side of the clip with said enlarged portion engaging the intersection of said inner and outer portions on one side of the groove to locate the free end of the clip in substantial alignment with said first side of the frame member, and the portions of the opposite side of the clip on opposite sides of the bend UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,070,150 2/1937 Venzie 52484 3,383,811 5/1968 Ades 5228 FOREIGN PATENTS 187,131 1964 Sweden 52 495 JOHN E. MURTAGH, Primary Examiner U .8. Cl. X.R. 52-495; 2409 

